Security and ethnic issues will figure largely with voters- Bishop of Mannar

The Bishop of Mannar, Rev Emmanuel Fernando said security and a solution to the ethnic issue will be two of the decisive factors when the district’s voters go to the polls.

“Mannar is seriously underdeveloped and only now a bus stand is being built. When it comes to job opportunities, there are very limited jobs and the only factory is also closed,” Bishop Fernando told the Sunday Times.

“Any candidate who comes, these are the areas he needs to think of," he pointed out.

He said that any elected president should have a concern for the north. “During the Rajapaska government the roads were done and Sajith Preamadasa has done housing schemes.”

“During the 30-year war, certain unfortunate things happened and they are not happy with the Rajapaksa government. That also will have an impact.”

“Basically, the ethnic problem needs to be resolved. The government finds it difficult, as there is a majority Sinhala population, but the minority votes too, are important. But when the government tries to do too many things for the minority, they can be found fault with by the majority.

“The Easter Sunday bombings will have an impact too. Apart from the reaction that it happened to Catholics, the issue of insecurity is an issue. Naturally, the fear element remains.

"As for Housing, Rishard is able to get help and do a lot of housing schemes. In terms of housing, Muslims are better off, while the Catholics are spread all over and do not have houses.

"There are some schemes where Premadasa has put up some houses, but some of them have got struck due to lack of funds in the Treasury.

“The Gamperaliya programme helped to develop the area, they should have more development progrmmes.”

Bishop Fernando said the voters in the district are encouraged to cast their vote.

“It is a civic right and they should make use of it,” he added.